CINCINNATI • Carlos Martinez walked a career-high five on Sunday. But, ever learning his craft, the Cardinals’ ace was elusive through the first six innings as none of the walks scored.
Finally, the Cincinnati Reds strung together three straight hits in the seventh to knock Martinez from the game and cut their deficit to three runs. It was then that the Cardinals’ relief corps, in the persons of Zach Duke, Kevin Siegrist, Seung Hwan Oh and ... Brandon Moss ... preserved that lead for a 5-2 victory, enabling the Cardinals to avoid a series sweep against the National League Central Division bottom-dwellers.